Argentina: Iguazu National Park"The semicircular waterfall at the heart of this site is some 80 m high
and 2,700 m in diameter and is situated on a basaltic line spanning the
border between Argentina and Brazil. Made up of many cascades producing
vast sprays of water, it is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in
the world. The surrounding subtropical rainforest has over 2,000 species
of vascular plants and is home to the typical wildlife of the region:
tapirs, giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and caymans." — UNESCO

Argentina: Iguazu National Park"The semicircular waterfall at the heart of this site is some 80 m high and 2,700 m in diameter and is situated on a basaltic line spanning the border between Argentina and ... more

Australia: Great Barrier Reef"The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the
north-east coast of Australia. It contains the world’s largest
collection of coral reefs, with 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of
fish and 4,000 types of mollusk. It also holds great scientific interest
as the habitat of species such as the dugong (‘sea cow’) and the large
green turtle, which are threatened with extinction." — UNESCO

Australia: Great Barrier Reef"The Great Barrier Reef is a site of remarkable variety and beauty on the north-east coast of Australia. It contains the world’s largest collection of coral reefs, with 400 ... more

Poland: Belovezhskaya Pushcha / Białowieża Forest"Situated on the watershed of the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea, this
immense forest range, consisting of evergreens and broad-leaved trees,
is home to some remarkable animal life, including rare mammals such as
the wolf, the lynx and the otter, as well as some 300 European Bison, a
species which has been reintroduced into the park." — UNESCO less

Brazil: Pantanal Conservation Area"The Pantanal Conservation Complex consists of a cluster of four
protected areas with a total area of 187,818 ha. Located in western
central Brazil at the south-west corner of the State of Mato Grosso, the
site represents 1.3% of Brazil's Pantanal region, one of the world's
largest freshwater wetland ecosystems. The headwaters of the region's
two major river systems, the Cuiabá and the Paraguay rivers, are located
here, and the abundance and diversity of its vegetation and animal life
are spectacular." — UNESCO

Brazil: Pantanal Conservation Area
"The Pantanal Conservation Complex consists of a cluster of four protected areas with a total area of 187,818 ha. Located in western central Brazil at the south-west corner ... more

Bulgaria: Srebarna Nature Reserve"The Srebarna Nature Reserve is a freshwater lake adjacent to the Danube
and extending over 600 ha. It is the breeding ground of almost 100
species of birds, many of which are rare or endangered. Some 80 other
bird species migrate and seek refuge there every winter. Among the most
interesting bird species are the Dalmatian pelican, great egret, night
heron, purple heron, glossy ibis and white spoonbill." — UNESCO

Bulgaria: Srebarna Nature Reserve
"The Srebarna Nature Reserve is a freshwater lake adjacent to the Danube and extending over 600 ha. It is the breeding ground of almost 100 species of birds, many of which ... more

Canada:
Kluane National Park and Reserve"These parks comprise an impressive complex of glaciers and high peaks on
both sides of the border between Canada (Yukon Territory and British
Columbia) and the United States (Alaska). The spectacular natural
landscapes are home to many grizzly bears, caribou and Dall's sheep. The
site contains the largest non-polar icefield in the world." — UNESCO

Chad: Lakes of Ounianga"The site includes eighteen interconnected lakes in the
hyper arid Ennedi region of the Sahara desert covering an area of
62,808 ha. It constitutes an exceptional natural landscape of great
beauty with striking colours and shapes. The saline, hyper saline and
freshwater lakes are supplied by groundwater and are found in two groups
40 km apart. Ounianga Kebir comprises four lakes, the largest of which,
Yoan, covers an area of 358 ha and is 27 m deep. Its highly saline
waters only sustain algae and some microorganisms. The second group,
Ounianga Serir, comprises fourteen lakes separated by sand dunes.
Floating reeds cover almost half the surface of these lakes reducing
evaporation. At 436 ha, Lake Teli has the largest surface area but is
less than 10 m deep. With their high quality freshwater, some of these
lakes are home to aquatic fauna, particularly fish." — UNESCO

Chad: Lakes of Ounianga
"The site includes eighteen interconnected lakes in the hyper arid Ennedi region of the Sahara desert covering an area of 62,808 ha. It constitutes an exceptional natural ... more

Photo: Philippe Bourseiller, Getty Images

Chad: Lakes of Ounianga " The site includes eighteen... Photo-4995060.67493 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 9 of 51 |
50 UNESCO natural World Heritage Sites

China: Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area"Stretching over 72,000 ha in the northern part of Sichuan Province, the
jagged Jiuzhaigou valley reaches a height of more than 4,800 m, thus
comprising a series of diverse forest ecosystems. Its superb landscapes
are particularly interesting for their series of narrow conic karst land
forms and spectacular waterfalls. Some 140 bird species also inhabit
the valley, as well as a number of endangered plant and animal species,
including the giant panda and the Sichuan takin." — UNESCO

Croatia: Plitvice Lakes National Park"The waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of
years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams which in
turn have created a series of beautiful lakes, caves and waterfalls.
These geological processes continue today. The forests in the park are
home to bears, wolves and many rare bird species." — UNESCO

Croatia: Plitvice Lakes National Park
"The waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams which in turn have created a series ... more

Denmark: Ilulissat Icefjord"Located on the west coast of Greenland, 250 km north of the Arctic
Circle, Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord (40,240 ha) is the sea mouth of
Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the few glaciers through which the Greenland ice
cap reaches the sea. Sermeq Kujalleq is one of the fastest (19 m per
day) and most active glaciers in the world. It annually calves over 35
km3 of ice, i.e. 10% of the production of all Greenland calf ice and
more than any other glacier outside Antarctica. Studied for over 250
years, it has helped to develop our understanding of climate change and
icecap glaciology. The combination of a huge ice-sheet and the dramatic
sounds of a fast-moving glacial ice-stream calving into a fjord covered
by icebergs makes for a dramatic and awe-inspiring natural phenomenon." — UNESCO

Denmark: Ilulissat Icefjord
"Located on the west coast of Greenland, 250 km north of the Arctic Circle, Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord (40,240 ha) is the sea mouth of Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the few ... more

Ecuador: Sangay National Park"With its outstanding natural beauty and two active volcanoes, the park
illustrates the entire spectrum of ecosystems, ranging from tropical
rainforests to glaciers, with striking contrasts between the snowcapped
peaks and the forests of the plains. Its isolation has encouraged the
survival of indigenous species such as the mountain tapir and the Andean
condor." — UNESCO

Ecuador: Sangay National Park
"With its outstanding natural beauty and two active volcanoes, the park illustrates the entire spectrum of ecosystems, ranging from tropical rainforests to glaciers, with ... more

Egypt: Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)"Wadi Al-Hitan, Whale Valley, in the Western Desert of Egypt, contains
invaluable fossil remains of the earliest, and now extinct, suborder of
whales, Archaeoceti. These fossils represent one of the major stories of
evolution: the emergence of the whale as an ocean-going mammal from a
previous life as a land-based animal. This is the most important site in
the world for the demonstration of this stage of evolution. It portrays
vividly the form and life of these whales during their transition. The
number, concentration and quality of such fossils here is unique, as is
their accessibility and setting in an attractive and protected
landscape. The fossils of Al-Hitan show the youngest archaeocetes, in
the last stages of losing their hind limbs. Other fossil material in the
site makes it possible to reconstruct the surrounding environmental and
ecological conditions of the time." — UNESCO

Egypt: Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)
"Wadi Al-Hitan, Whale Valley, in the Western Desert of Egypt, contains invaluable fossil remains of the earliest, and now extinct, suborder of whales, Archaeoceti. These ... more

France: Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island"The Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island site coincides with
the core zone of La Réunion National Park. The property covers more than
100,000 ha or 40 % of La Réunion, an island comprising two adjoining
volcanic massifs located in the south-west of the Indian Ocean.
Dominated by two towering volcanic peaks, massive walls and three
cliff-rimmed cirques, the property includes a great variety of rugged
terrain and impressive escarpments, forested gorges and basins creating a
visually striking landscape. It is the natural habitat for a wide
diversity of plants, presenting a high level of endemism. There are
subtropical rainforests, cloud forests and heaths creating a remarkable
and visually appealing mosaic of ecosystems and landscape features." — UNESCO

Netherlands: The Wadden Sea"The Wadden Sea comprises the Dutch Wadden Sea Conservation Area and the
German Wadden Sea National Parks of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein.
It is a large temperate, relatively flat coastal wetland environment,
formed by the intricate interactions between physical and biological
factors that have given rise to a multitude of transitional habitats
with tidal channels, sandy shoals, sea-grass meadows, mussel beds,
sandbars, mudflats, salt marshes, estuaries, beaches and dunes. The
inscribed site represents over 66% of the whole Wadden Sea and is home
to numerous plant and animal species, including marine mammals such as
the harbour seal, grey seal and harbour porpoise. It is also a breeding
and wintering area for up to 12 millions birds per annum and it supports
more than 10 percent of 29 species. The site is one of the last
remaining natural, large-scale, intertidal ecosystems where natural
processes continue to function largely undisturbed." — UNESCO

Netherlands: The Wadden Sea
"The Wadden Sea comprises the Dutch Wadden Sea Conservation Area and the German Wadden Sea National Parks of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. It is a large temperate, ... more

India: Kaziranga National Park"In the heart of Assam, this park is one of the last areas in eastern
India undisturbed by a human presence. It is inhabited by the world's
largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals,
including tigers, elephants, panthers and bears, and thousands of birds." — UNESCO

India: Kaziranga National Park"In the heart of Assam, this park is one of the last areas in eastern India undisturbed by a human presence. It is inhabited by the world's largest population of one-horned ... more

Indonesia: Komodo National Park"These volcanic islands are inhabited by a population of around 5,700
giant lizards, whose appearance and aggressive behaviour have led to
them being called 'Komodo dragons'. They exist nowhere else in the world
and are of great interest to scientists studying the theory of
evolution. The rugged hillsides of dry savannah and pockets of thorny
green vegetation contrast starkly with the brilliant white sandy beaches
and the blue waters surging over coral." — UNESCO

Indonesia: Komodo National Park"These volcanic islands are inhabited by a population of around 5,700 giant lizards, whose appearance and aggressive behaviour have led to them being called 'Komodo dragons'. ... more

Italy: Mount Etna"Mount Etna is an iconic site encompassing 19,237 uninhabited hectares on
the highest part of Mount Etna, on the eastern coast of Sicily. Mount
Etna is the highest Mediterranean island mountain and the most active
stratovolcano in the world. The eruptive history of the volcano can be
traced back 500,000 years and at least 2,700 years of this activity has
been documented. The almost continuous eruptive activity of Mount Etna
continues to influence volcanology, geophysics and other Earth science
disciplines. The volcano also supports important terrestrial ecosystems
including endemic flora and fauna and its activity makes it a natural
laboratory for the study of ecological and biological processes. The
diverse and accessible range of volcanic features such as summit
craters, cinder cones, lava flows and the Valle de Bove depression have
made the site a prime destination for research and education." — UNESCO

Italy: Mount Etna
"Mount Etna is an iconic site encompassing 19,237 uninhabited hectares on the highest part of Mount Etna, on the eastern coast of Sicily. Mount Etna is the highest Mediterranean island ... more

Japan: Shiretoko National Park"Shiretoko Peninsula is located in the north-east of Hokkaido, the
northernmost island of Japan. The site includes the land from the
central part of the peninsula to its tip (Shiretoko Cape) and the
surrounding marine area. It provides an outstanding example of the
interaction of marine and terrestrial ecosystems as well as
extraordinary ecosystem productivity, largely influenced by the
formation of seasonal sea ice at the lowest latitude in the northern
hemisphere. It has particular importance for a number of marine and
terrestrial species, some of them endangered and endemic, such as
Blackiston’s fish owl and the Viola kitamiana plant. The site is
globally important for threatened seabirds and migratory birds, a number
of salmonid species, and for marine mammals including Steller’s sea
lion and some cetacean species." — UNESCO

Japan: Shiretoko National Park"Shiretoko Peninsula is located in the north-east of Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan. The site includes the land from the central part of the peninsula to its tip ... more

"The most saline of Africa's large lakes, Turkana is an outstanding
laboratory for the study of plant and animal communities. The three
National Parks serve as a stopover for migrant waterfowl and are major
breeding grounds for the Nile crocodile, hippopotamus and a variety of
venomous snakes. The Koobi Fora deposits, rich in mammalian, molluscan
and other fossil remains, have contributed more to the understanding of
paleo-environments than any other site on the continent." — UNESCO

Malawi: Lake Malawi National Park"Located at the southern end of the great expanse of Lake Malawi, with
its deep, clear waters and mountain backdrop, the national park is home
to many hundreds of fish species, nearly all endemic. Its importance for
the study of evolution is comparable to that of the finches of the
Galapagos Islands." — UNESCO

Malawi: Lake Malawi National Park"Located at the southern end of the great expanse of Lake Malawi, with its deep, clear waters and mountain backdrop, the national park is home to many hundreds of fish ... more

Malaysia: Gunung Mulu National Park"Important both for its high biodiversity and for its karst features,
Gunung Mulu National Park, on the island of Borneo in the State of
Sarawak, is the most studied tropical karst area in the world. The
52,864-ha park contains seventeen vegetation zones, exhibiting some
3,500 species of vascular plants. Its palm species are exceptionally
rich, with 109 species in twenty genera noted. The park is dominated by
Gunung Mulu, a 2,377 m-high sandstone pinnacle. At least 295 km of
explored caves provide a spectacular sight and are home to millions of
cave swiftlets and bats. The Sarawak Chamber, 600 m by 415 m and 80 m
high, is the largest known cave chamber in the world." — UNESCO

Malaysia: Gunung Mulu National Park
"Important both for its high biodiversity and for its karst features, Gunung Mulu National Park, on the island of Borneo in the State of Sarawak, is the most studied ... more

Mauritania: Banc d'Arguin National Park"Fringing the Atlantic coast, the park comprises sand-dunes, coastal
swamps, small islands and shallow coastal waters. The contrast between
the harsh desert environment and the biodiversity of the marine zone has
resulted in a land- and seascape of outstanding natural significance. A
wide variety of migrating birds spend the winter there. Several species
of sea turtle and dolphin, used by the fishermen to attract shoals of
fish, can also be found." — UNESCO

Mexico: El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve"The 714,566 hectare site comprises two distinct parts: the dormant
volcanic Pinacate Shield of black and red lava flows and desert
pavements to the east, and, in the west, the Gran Altar Desert with its
ever changing and varied sand dunes that can reach a height of 200
metres. This landscape of dramatic contrast notably features linear,
star and dome dunes as well as several arid granite massifs, some as
high as 650 metres. The dunes emerge like islands from the sea of sand
and harbour distinct and highly diverse plant and wildlife communities,
including endemic freshwater fish species and the endemic Sonoran
Pronghorn, which is only to be found in northwestern Sonora and in
southwestern Arizona (USA). Ten enormous, deep and almost perfectly
circular craters, believed to have been formed by a combination of
eruptions and collapses, also contribute to the dramatic beauty of the
site whose exceptional combination of features are of great scientific
interest. The site is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve." — UNESCO

Montenegro: Durmitor National Park"This breathtaking national park was formed by glaciers and is traversed
by rivers and underground streams. Along the Tara river canyon, which
has the deepest gorges in Europe, the dense pine forests are
interspersed with clear lakes and harbour a wide range of endemic flora." — UNESCO

Montenegro: Durmitor National Park
"This breathtaking national park was formed by glaciers and is traversed by rivers and underground streams. Along the Tara river canyon, which has the deepest gorges in ... more

Namibia: Namib Sand Sea"Namib Sand Sea is the only coastal desert in the world that includes
extensive dune fields influenced by fog. Covering an area of over three
million hectares and a buffer zone of 899,500 hectares, the site is
composed of two dune systems, an ancient semi-consolidated one overlain
by a younger active one. The desert dunes are formed by the
transportation of materials thousands of kilometres from the hinterland,
that are carried by river, ocean current and wind. It features gravel
plains, coastal flats, rocky hills, inselbergs within the sand sea, a
coastal lagoon and ephemeral rivers, resulting in a landscape of
exceptional beauty. Fog is the primary source of water in the site,
accounting for a unique environment in which endemic invertebrates,
reptiles and mammals adapt to an ever-changing variety of microhabitats
and ecological niches." — UNESCO

Namibia: Namib Sand Sea
"Namib Sand Sea is the only coastal desert in the world that includes extensive dune fields influenced by fog. Covering an area of over three million hectares and a buffer zone ... more

Nepal: Sagarmatha National Park"Sagarmatha is an exceptional area with dramatic mountains, glaciers and
deep valleys, dominated by Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world
(8,848 m). Several rare species, such as the snow leopard and the lesser
panda, are found in the park. The presence of the Sherpas, with their
unique culture, adds further interest to this site." — UNESCO

Nepal: Sagarmatha National Park
"Sagarmatha is an exceptional area with dramatic mountains, glaciers and deep valleys, dominated by Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world (8,848 m). Several rare ... more

New Zealand: Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand"The landscape in this park, situated in south-west New Zealand, has been
shaped by successive glaciations into fjords, rocky coasts, towering
cliffs, lakes and waterfalls. Two-thirds of the park is covered with
southern beech and podocarps, some of which are over 800 years old. The
kea, the only alpine parrot in the world, lives in the park, as does the
rare and endangered takahe, a large flightless bird." — UNESCO

Norway: West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord"Situated in south-western Norway, north-east of Bergen, Geirangerfjord
and Nærøyfjord, set 120 km from one another, are part of the west
Norwegian fjord landscape, which stretches from Stavanger in the south
to Andalsnes, 500 km to the north-east. The two fjords, among the
world’s longest and deepest, are considered as archetypical fjord
landscapes and among the most scenically outstanding anywhere. Their
exceptional natural beauty is derived from their narrow and steep-sided
crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400 m from the Norwegian Sea
and extend 500 m below sea level. The sheer walls of the fjords have
numerous waterfalls while free-flowing rivers cross their deciduous and
coniferous forests to glacial lakes, glaciers and rugged mountains. The
landscape features a range of supporting natural phenomena, both
terrestrial and marine, such as submarine moraines and marine mammals." — UNESCO

Panama: Darien National Park"Forming a bridge between the two continents of the New World, Darien
National Park contains an exceptional variety of habitats – sandy
beaches, rocky coasts, mangroves, swamps, and lowland and upland
tropical forests containing remarkable wildlife. Two Indian tribes live
in the park." — UNESCO

Panama: Darien National Park"Forming a bridge between the two continents of the New World, Darien National Park contains an exceptional variety of habitats – sandy beaches, rocky coasts, mangroves, ... more

Peru: Huascarán National Park"Situated in the Cordillera Blanca, the world's highest tropical mountain
range, Mount Huascarán rises to 6,768 m above sea-level. The deep
ravines watered by numerous torrents, the glacial lakes and the variety
of the vegetation make it a site of spectacular beauty. It is the home
of such species as the spectacled bear and the Andean condor." — UNESCO

Philippines: Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park"This park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an
underground river. One of the river's distinguishing features is that it
emerges directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to
tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for
biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full 'mountain-to-sea'
ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia." — UNESCO less

Romania: Danube Delta"The waters of the Danube, which flow into the Black Sea, form the
largest and best preserved of Europe's deltas. The Danube delta hosts
over 300 species of birds as well as 45 freshwater fish species in its
numerous lakes and marshes." — UNESCO

Romania: Danube Delta"The waters of the Danube, which flow into the Black Sea, form the largest and best preserved of Europe's deltas. The Danube delta hosts over 300 species of birds as well as 45 ... more

Russia: Lake Baikal"Situated in south-east Siberia, the 3.15-million-ha Lake Baikal is the
oldest (25 million years) and deepest (1,700 m) lake in the world. It
contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen freshwater reserve. Known as
the 'Galapagos of Russia', its age and isolation have produced one of
the world's richest and most unusual freshwater faunas, which is of
exceptional value to evolutionary science." — UNESCO

Russia: Lake Baikal"Situated in south-east Siberia, the 3.15-million-ha Lake Baikal is the oldest (25 million years) and deepest (1,700 m) lake in the world. It contains 20% of the world's total unfrozen ... more

Senegal: Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary"Situated in the Senegal River delta, the Djoudj Sanctuary is a wetland
of 16,000 ha, comprising a large lake surrounded by streams, ponds and
backwaters. It forms a living but fragile sanctuary for some 1.5 million
birds, such as the white pelican, the purple heron, the African
spoonbill, the great egret and the cormorant." — UNESCO

Senegal: Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary"Situated in the Senegal River delta, the Djoudj Sanctuary is a wetland of 16,000 ha, comprising a large lake surrounded by streams, ponds and backwaters. It forms a ... more

Seychelles: Aldabra Atoll"The atoll is comprised of four large coral islands which enclose a
shallow lagoon; the group of islands is itself surrounded by a coral
reef. Due to difficulties of access and the atoll's isolation, Aldabra
has been protected from human influence and thus retains some 152,000
giant tortoises, the world's largest population of this reptile." — UNESCO

Seychelles: Aldabra Atoll"The atoll is comprised of four large coral islands which enclose a shallow lagoon; the group of islands is itself surrounded by a coral reef. Due to difficulties of access and the ... more

South Africa: iSimangaliso Wetland Park"The ongoing fluvial, marine and aeolian processes in the site have
produced a variety of landforms, including coral reefs, long sandy
beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and extensive reed and
papyrus wetlands. The interplay of the park's environmental
heterogeneity with major floods and coastal storms and a transitional
geographic location between subtropical and tropical Africa has resulted
in exceptional species diversity and ongoing speciation. The mosaic of
landforms and habitat types creates breathtaking scenic vistas. The site
contains critical habitats for a range of species from Africa's marine,
wetland and savannah environments." — UNESCO

South Africa: iSimangaliso Wetland Park"The ongoing fluvial, marine and aeolian processes in the site have produced a variety of landforms, including coral reefs, long sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake ... more

Spain: Garajonay National Park"Laurel forest covers some 70% of this park, situated in the middle of
the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands archipelago. The presence
of springs and numerous streams assures a lush vegetation resembling
that of the Tertiary, which, due to climatic changes, has largely
disappeared from southern Europe." — UNESCO

Spain: Garajonay National Park"Laurel forest covers some 70% of this park, situated in the middle of the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands archipelago. The presence of springs and numerous streams ... more

Sri Lanka: Sinharaja Forest Reserve"Located in south-west Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is the country's last viable
area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are
endemic and many of them are considered rare. There is much endemic
wildlife, especially birds, but the reserve is also home to over 50% of
Sri Lanka's endemic species of mammals and butterflies, as well as many
kinds of insects, reptiles and rare amphibians." — UNESCO

Sri Lanka: Sinharaja Forest Reserve
"Located in south-west Sri Lanka, Sinharaja is the country's last viable area of primary tropical rainforest. More than 60% of the trees are endemic and many of them are ... more

Switzerland/Italy: Monte San Giorgio"The pyramid-shaped, wooded mountain of Monte San Giorgio beside Lake
Lugano is regarded as the best fossil record of marine life from the
Triassic Period (245–230 million years ago). The sequence records life
in a tropical lagoon environment, sheltered and partially separated from
the open sea by an offshore reef. Diverse marine life flourished within
this lagoon, including reptiles, fish, bivalves, ammonites, echinoderms
and crustaceans. Because the lagoon was near land, the remains also
include land-based fossils of reptiles, insects and plants, resulting in
an extremely rich source of fossils." — UNESCO less

Switzerland/Italy: Monte San Giorgio"The pyramid-shaped, wooded mountain of Monte San Giorgio beside Lake Lugano is regarded as the best fossil record of marine life from the Triassic Period (245–230 ... more

Tanzania: Serengeti National Park"The vast plains of the Serengeti comprise 1.5 million ha of savannah.
The annual migration to permanent water holes of vast herds of
herbivores (wildebeest, gazelles and zebras), followed by their
predators, is one of the most impressive natural events in the world." — UNESCO

Tanzania: Serengeti National Park"The vast plains of the Serengeti comprise 1.5 million ha of savannah. The annual migration to permanent water holes of vast herds of herbivores (wildebeest, gazelles and ... more

"Located in south-western Uganda, at the junction of the plain and
mountain forests, Bwindi Park covers 32,000 ha and is known for its
exceptional biodiversity, with more than 160 species of trees and over
100 species of ferns. Many types of birds and butterflies can also be
found there, as well as many endangered species, including the mountain
gorilla." — UNESCO

"The Giant's Causeway lies at the foot of the basalt cliffs along the sea
coast on the edge of the Antrim plateau in Northern Ireland. It is made
up of some 40,000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea.
The dramatic sight has inspired legends of giants striding over the sea
to Scotland. Geological studies of these formations over the last 300
years have greatly contributed to the development of the earth sciences,
and show that this striking landscape was caused by volcanic activity
during the Tertiary, some 50–60 million years ago." — UNESCO

Unites States: Yosemite National Park"Yosemite National Park lies in the heart of California. With its
'hanging' valleys, many waterfalls, cirque lakes, polished domes,
moraines and U-shaped valleys, it provides an excellent overview of all
kinds of granite relief fashioned by glaciation. At 600–4,000 m, a great
variety of flora and fauna can also be found here." — UNESCO

Unites States: Yosemite National Park"Yosemite National Park lies in the heart of California. With its 'hanging' valleys, many waterfalls, cirque lakes, polished domes, moraines and U-shaped valleys, it ... more

Venezuela: Canaima National Park"Canaima National Park is spread over 3 million ha in south-eastern
Venezuela along the border between Guyana and Brazil. Roughly 65% of the
park is covered by table mountain (tepui) formations. The tepuis
constitute a unique biogeological entity and are of great geological
interest. The sheer cliffs and waterfalls, including the world's highest
(1,000 m), form a spectacular landscape." — UNESCO

Venezuela: Canaima National Park
"Canaima National Park is spread over 3 million ha in south-eastern Venezuela along the border between Guyana and Brazil. Roughly 65% of the park is covered by table mountain ... more

Vietnam: Ha Long Bay"Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and
islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of
their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and
unaffected by a human presence. The site's outstanding scenic beauty is
complemented by its great biological interest." —UNESCO

Vietnam: Ha Long Bay"Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands ... more

Photo: Sami Sarkis, Getty Images

Vietnam: Ha Long Bay "Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin,... Photo-4995011.67493 - Beaumont Enterprise

Image 48 of 51 |
50 UNESCO natural World Heritage Sites

Yemen: Socotra Archipelago"Socotra Archipelago, in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of
Aden, is 250 km long and comprises four islands and two rocky islets
which appear as a prolongation of the Horn of Africa. The site is of
universal importance because of its biodiversity with rich and distinct
flora and fauna: 37% of Socotra’s 825 plant species, 90% of its reptile
species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in
the world. The site also supports globally significant populations of
land and sea birds (192 bird species, 44 of which breed on the islands
while 85 are regular migrants), including a number of threatened
species. The marine life of Socotra is also very diverse, with 253
species of reef-building corals, 730 species of coastal fish and 300
species of crab, lobster and shrimp." — UNESCO

Yemen: Socotra Archipelago"Socotra Archipelago, in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden, is 250 km long and comprises four islands and two rocky islets which appear as a prolongation of the Horn ... more

Zambia/Zimbabwe: Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls"These are among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The
Zambezi River, which is more than 2 km wide at this point, plunges
noisily down a series of basalt gorges and raises an iridescent mist
that can be seen more than 20 km away." — UNESCO

Zambia/Zimbabwe: Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls
"These are among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The Zambezi River, which is more than 2 km wide at this point, plunges noisily down a series of ... more

Zimbabwe: Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas"On the banks of the Zambezi, great cliffs overhang the river and the
floodplains. The area is home to a remarkable concentration of wild
animals, including elephants, buffalo, leopards and cheetahs. An
important concentration of Nile crocodiles is also be found in the area." — UNESCO